[NSRCA-discussion] Future of Pattern

Mon Mar 19 18:51:12 AKDT 2012

What a great thread !  Keith is very easy to agree with. Kudos
G

On Mon, Mar 19, 2012 at 9:34 AM, mike mueller <mups1953 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> John I don't think this email list represents the feelings of the average
> pattern enthusiast. Your points are well thought out and I think you hit on
> a lot of important issues . I for one wouldn't get too upset with the
> exchange of ideas being thrown out there. Debate is healthy. Where it all
> ends???
>   I think pattern is actually doing fairly well. In some ways it surprises
> me that anyone else but myself understands it.
>  Dwindling ranks could easily be explained. Dramatic social changes, the
> economy and a sport that is difficult to participate in due to the effort
> it takes. These issues and a myriad of others have more of an effect than
> any of the rule tweaks that are being debated.
>  IMAC in our area has had a significant decrease in attendance in the last
> few years. Their planes on average cost a lot more than ours. Their Nats
> has  significantly declined in the last few years. They get about a third
> of the flyers as we do. How can one explain that?
>  I can't see great numbers of newbies flocking to join our ranks. I think
> it is what it is. I'll strive to see small gains and little victory's when
> we get someone new to enjoy the sport. I won't focus on it though because
> it is what it is. No sense trying to put lipstick on a pig so you can call
> it something else. I say embrace it and all of its flaws. The 1% who
> appreciate it will understand.
>  If you want to make a difference and grow the sport become an ambassadorfor it. Help guys at the practice field. Help the new guys at their first
> contest. It's far and away the most significant activity we can do to grow
> pattern. It's the grass roots small things that can add up.
>  Now lets see how we handle $6 gas.  Mike Mueller
>
>   *From:* Michael S. Harrison <drmikedds at sbcglobal.net>
> *To:* 'General pattern discussion' <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
> *Sent:* Monday, March 19, 2012 7:30 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Future of Pattern
>
>   well written, i agree
>
>  *From:* nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org [mailto:
> nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] *On Behalf Of *John Gayer
> *Sent:* Sunday, March 18, 2012 10:38 PM
> *To:* General pattern discussion
> *Subject:* [NSRCA-discussion] Future of Pattern
>
> Apparently we can discuss the pros and cons of a new weight rule til hell
> freezes over without anyone changing their mind. I would like to share with
> you how I converted from from a no weight change advocate to someone
> pushing for an increase. I have always felt that most of the past increases
> in cost were due to rule changes on noise, on turnaround, on engine sizes,
> for some examples. While this is a factor, there are others at work.
> Inflation and improved quality of the equipment are also major factors. I’m
> also not convinced that it really costs that much more in terms of
> percentage of your takehome income to compete than it did in the old days.
> However there is a large increase in other activities, both in the hobby
> and without, competing for your dollars. Another point is that all those
> potentially expensive rule changes were initiated by the FAI and
> incorporated by the AMA. So I came to the conclusion that we could make
> adjustments to AMA rules without upsetting the apple cart.
>
> The main reason for change is that the status quo is not working. Pattern
> has changed from the central focus of many clubs and many flyers to being a
> small niche in both clubs and the marketplace. It used to be that club
> sport flyers that never attended a contest still built and flew simply
> constructed Balsa or balsa and foam pattern planes. This is gone. Even
> considering the modern equivalents of these planes such as the Excelleron
> and others, most are now out of production and not being replaced by new
> kits/ARFs. Just ask any manufacturer about the importance of pattern in
> their marketing plans. Ask Jon Bruml who sells ads in the K-Factor. I'm not
> privy to the figures but I suspect even the topline radios that we consider
> ours, sell better for IMAC, Helis and jets. Time was, your club members
> were interested in your new radio/model/motor/engine. Now they just say
> “smooth flying model” and ask about the weather.
>
> The point is that we are now a bit player and in all probability will
> never occupy center stage again. See a lot of action in the modeling press
> about last years WC? Get real. Nobody else cares and we are all getting
> older and slower, dying off one by one and being replaced by only a few and
> most of those are in their forties. See the graph below? It shows a slow
> decline in membership dues and it gets worse the further back you go. While
> the NSRCA membership decline is not conclusive proof that pattern is
> declining in this country, I am convinced that they are related. What I see
> in contest attendance in the west is a steady decline over the last couple
> of decades and is a confirmation of the NSRCA numbers.
>
>
> So what should the NSRCA and the pattern community do? Maintain the status
> quo?  I believe I've made a case that it's not working. Can we do something
> to get back on center stage? Very unlikely. Can we do something to move
> from a dying niche in the hobby to a growing niche?  Perhaps.
> As a first step the NSRCA board has made rules proposals with the *intent*of increasing safety and making it easier/cheaper to participate. Will
> these rule changes have the desired effect? I believe so but they are not a
> complete answer by any means. We need more participation and more ideas not
> more accusations about our “hidden agendas” and “flawed surveys”.
> Apparently we've gored a few oxen in our proposals. I suggest everyone back
> off a bit and support the only group that is trying to move forward. I
> understand that there may be unwanted consequences along with the wanted
> ones. I doubt it but even so rules can be rolled back in two years.
>
> There are a lot of very smart people out there on this list involved in
> precision aerobatics and we really need to be putting our heads together
> for ideas on how to grow. Right now it looks like we only know how to tear
> each other down. There has been a lot of emotion out there on these rules
> proposals, lets apply it in a more positive direction. I urge everyone to
> support these proposals now and to stay engaged with us on what to do next.
> The NSRCA is always open to ideas.
>
> John Gayer
>
>
>
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